In response to recent research by the Pew Center entitled, “Why Americans Go (and Don’t Go) to Religious Services,” I am writing a series of blogs analyzing their findings and giving blunt commentary.  Last time, I discussed the issue of disassociation: an issue of rootedness in their faith heritage and in their community.  Today, I want to explore the issue of disinterest, which is an issue of engagement.  This principle is clearly understandable when the highest percentage of respondents stated, “I practice my faith in other ways” and don’t participate regularly with other believers in church.

Hear me out: I have been a Christian practically all my life, and a pastor for over 30 years.  I have served, guest-preached, and visited hundreds of churches across this country.  I have seen and experienced many respected, faithful, loving congregations in my journey.  Yet, here is an honest admission.  It’s hard to say but the air needs to be cleared: oftentimes church can be one the most dull and boring places for any number of reasons.  In many communities, their facilities are outdated, “antique-ish”, un-inviting, poorly-lit, and worn.  In other sites, their weekly gatherings reveal social “cliques” that are not welcoming and warm to guests.  In other locations, there are “worship wars” over music style in the worship service (and visitors pick up on this tension quickly).  Many times (and ouch!  I’m a preacher and admit this), the sermon is so theologically accurate, yet over-the-head of a typical church attendee that it disconnects with everyday life so that he/she takes little, if anything, practical or encouraging for his/her life that will help him/her live as a single, married couple, father, mother, neighbor, worker, or community volunteer.  Add to this, sometimes the church’s ministries don’t address genuine needs that people have—the need for fellowship and social bonds, the need for spiritual food that nourishes their soul, and the need for belonging, a sense that you are vitally and dynamically connected to a community of people spiritually and relationally.

One of the reasons why people stated, “I practice my faith in other ways” is because they found that the churches they visited failed to engage them in meaningful ways.  Perhaps the facilities were relationally-cold and un-inviting.  Maybe the music was outdated, poorly played and/or sung, or the sermon theme failed to connect with their current life stage or situation.  It could be that few, if anyone, spotted them as a visitor and reached out to them socially.  Perhaps they found that the church’s website lacked any ministries, events, or opportunities that appealed to them.

Engagement is a ministry principle that compels us—leaders and church members—to evaluate seriously the ministries we do, the worship we offer, the sermons we preach, the hospitality we extend, and the place where we meet to see if people are attracted and drawn.

-Whatever our music style, is our worship lively and dynamic?

-Are the sermons prepared and preached towards applying the gospel to human need?

-Do we need to re-evaluate the way we welcome guests? (Formally and informally).

-When was the last time we took a good look at our facility?  What does it show?

-Is our website inviting, informative, and user-friendly?

People walk away from a church—your church—for genuine reasons.  Don’t dismiss it or look the other way!  Deal with it!  As Christians and church leaders, we need to take a hard, honest look into the ministry mirror and see what needs to change in order to re-connect with those in our community who are truly looking for a people that they can call their spiritual home.